These are some of the notable events relating to politics in 2011.
Events January
January 1 – Brazil inaugurates first female president, Dilma Rousseff January 6 – Investigation continues into BP oil spill off Gulf of Mexico January 8 – American congresswoman Gabby Giffords shot in Arizona January 14 – Amid the 2010–2011 Tunisian protests, long-time president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali dissolved the government, and flees the country due to opposition and military intervention, Tunisian PM steps in as interim president January 16 – Former president Jean-Claude Duvalier returns to Haiti 25 years after being overthrown January 17 – Reports of self-immolation spread across Africa January 17 – Allegations of sexual misconduct committed by Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi grow January 18 – Obama hosts Chinese President Hu at private dinner January 20 – New Tunisian government lifts bans on previously outlawed political groups, frees political prisoners January 22 – Algerians defy ban on government protests, protest in capital January 23 – The Green Party of Ireland pulls out of Irish government, forcing early elections January 24 – Suicide bomb detonated at Domodedovo airport in Russia January 24 – Protests in Yemeni capital Sanaa, spurned on by changes in Tunisia January 27 – Egyptian opposition leader and Nobel peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei return to Cairo amid political unrest January 29 – Protest in Egypt continue, spurned on by reports from Tunisia, protesters believe President will soon step down January 30 – In a preliminary vote, 99% of South Sudan votes to split from the North, brought about by the 2005 peace agreement which ended two decades of war January 30 – Protesters in London march against Egyptian President Mubarak January 31 – Egyptian army rules out the use of force against the thousands of protesters across the country
February
February 1 – King Abdullah II, King of Jordan, dismisses the government of Jordan, appoints new PM with orders to implement political reform February 1 – Egyptian President Mubarak says he will not run again after his current term ends, protesters do not capitulate February 3 – Gunfire in central Cairo, as pro-Mubarak protesters clash with anti-Mubarak protesters February 4 – Crowds grow in Tahrir Square as protesters rally to celebrate day of departure February 7 – Egyptian government raises pay of public sector workers by 15% in attempt to quell protests February 8 – North Korea and South Korea initiate military talks after year long hiatus February 11 – Amid the 2011 Egyptian revolution, long-time president Hosni Mubarak resigns February 12 – Egypt's military leaders, currently in control of country, pledge to uphold all existing international treaties February 13 – Egypt's military, currently in control of country, dissolve parliament and suspend constitution, stating they will control the country for 6 months or until elections can be held February 13 – Italian women stage anti Berlusconi demonstrations, in wake of allegations of sexual misconduct February 14 – Large protests around Algerian capital, protesters call for democratic leadership February 16 – Protests erupt in Benghazi, Libya February 16 – Police and pro democracy protesters clash in Manama Bahrain February 20 – Clashes across the city of Benghazi leave 200 dead and 900 injured February 20 – Security forces shut down protests in Tehran February 22 – Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi refuses to stand down amid wide spread protests February 25 – Barack Obama announces American sanctions against Gaddafi's Libya February 26 – UN Security Council unanimously approves sanctions against Libya February 27 – Unrest in Libya spark border crisis, as civilians attempting to flee violence cross into neighboring countries
March March 2 – Pakistani minority minister Shahbaz Bhatti killed in ambush in Islamabad
March 4 – Libyan security forces force protesters from Tripoli, Gaddafi's stronghold March 5 – Saudi Arabia imposes ban on protests March 9 – Wisconsin bans collective bargaining for state's public employees March 10 – Security forces in Saudi Arabia shoot at protesters March 13 – Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan cause massive damage, Japanese prime minister says it is the worst crisis since the Second World War March 17 – UN Security Council approve a no fly zone in Libya in an effort to protect civilians March 20 – Egyptian voters vote in favor of constitutional amendments that pave the way for elections in June March 23 – 15 protesters are killed in Syria when security forces clash with anti-government protesters March 30 – Libya's foreign minister defects while in Britain, claims attacks on civilians as reason for defection March 30 – Syrian president Bashar al-Assad does not lift state of emergency, in place for several decades
April April 3 – Protests spread in eastern Afghanistan in reaction to a Florida Priest burning the Quran
April 6 – Portugal to seek bailout from EU, cite rising debt and inability to raise funds on international markets April 10 – France begins enforcing a ban on face veils, begins detaining those wearing face veils April 12 – Ex president of the Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo is detained by UN recognized Ivory Coast government led by Alassane Ouattara, when Gbagbo refused to cede power after November elections April 13 – Egyptian prosecutors order the detention of Mubarak and his sons April 14 – American Congress votes to approve budget bill, financing the government through September April 20 – Syrian government passes law to lift decades old state of emergency, dissolve state security courts, and pass law to allow peaceful protests April 22 – Japanese government approves a disaster relief budget of 4 trillion Yen to begin the cleanup from March's tsunami April 23 – At least 75 people are killed in clashes between security forces and anti-regime protesters in Syria, planned funerals expected to draw large crowds April 23 – Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh agrees to step down in exchange for immunity for him and his family, Saleh held power for 32 years April 24 – Pope Benedict XVI calls for peace in the Middle East and Africa, and mentions the plight of the Japanese people in Easter message April 27 – The Palestinian movements of Hamas and Fatah announced that they are ready to form a unity government, raising hopes for a more unified Palestine April 27 – President Obama releases his birth certificate April 29 – Prince William marries Catherine Middleton in royal wedding at Westminster Abbey April 30 – Syrian security forces surround and raid the Omari Mosque in Daraa April 30 – Gaddafi's youngest son and three grandchildren are killed in a Nato airstrike in Tripoli
May
May 1 – Osama bin Laden was killed in his compound by a US Navy. May 1 – Pope John Paul II is beatified May 2 – Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper wins majority in election, New Democratic Party takes opposition May 7 – The Pentagon releases the home videos of Osama Bin Laden, seized during raid on Bin Laden's compound May 12 – American and Pakistan officials question the wives of Osama bin Laden who were captured during the raid May 13 – Pakistani officials condemn unilateral American raid and drone strikes inside Pakistan May 16 – The head of the International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss-Kahn is charged with an alleged sexual assault on a hotel maid May 16 – Israeli security forces and Pro-Palestinian protesters clash along Israel border, during Nakba Day protests May 17 – Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom honors Irish people killed while fighting for independence from Britain May 19 – President Obama gives speech outlining America's policy toward the Middle East, specifically addressing the recent uprisings and protests occurring in the Arab world May 20 – President Obama and Israeli prime minister Netanyahu admit they do not share the same ideals on the path to Middle Eastern Peace May 24 – President Obama praises the United Kingdom's special ties with the United States, specifically citing their continued support post 9/11, and continued military support May 27 – Leaders meeting at the G8 summit in France say that Gaddafi must step down, British PM Cameron and French President Sarkozy plan visit to Libya May 29 – FIFA suspends 2 top executives amid bribery allegations, clears top executive Blatter May 30 – South African president Jacob Zuma visits Libya on a peace mission, seeking a diplomatic solution to the ongoing Libyan protests
June
June 3 – Syrian security forces open fire on protester killing 34, government cuts Internet access in attempt to quell protests June 4 – Long time Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh heads to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment for injuries sustained during a rocket attack, the president's absence from the country prompted protests and rumors of his stepping down June 5 – Ollanta Humala is elected President of Peru June 13 – Several doctors and nurses from Bahrain go on trial for allegedly taking control of a hospital, storing weapons, and holding prisoners during anti-government protests June 18 – The Obama administration announced that they would begin peace talks with the Taliban, plan to eventually hand talks over to Afghan president Hamid Karzai and his peace council June 19 – The European Union announced that Greece would receive more loans to prevent the country from defaulting on previous loans June 21 – A Tunisian court has sentenced former President Ben Ali and his wife to jail in absentia for 35 years, for embezzlement and missing public funds
June 22 – President Obama announced his plans to withdraw 10,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year, and a total of 33,000 by the middle of 2012 June 25 – Chinese activist Hu Jia was released from prison after serving three and a half years on subversion charges June 27 – The International Criminal Court at the Hague issues a warrant for Libyan leader Gaddafi, his son, and his spy chief June 28 – In a planned 2 day general strike demonstrators in Greece gather to protest the austerity measures proposed by the government and the EU June 29 – The government of Greece votes to accept proposed austerity measures June 30 – Prince William and Princess Kate arrive in Canada for a royal tour to coincide with Canada Day
July
July 4 – Thailand elects first female prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, after her party Pheu Thai won a seat majority July 5 – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez addresses crowd after return from Cuba for emergency cancer surgery July 7 – British newspaper News of the World shuts down amid accusations that it eavesdropped on numerous high-profile people July 8 – Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off for final time July 9 – South Sudan becomes independent country, raises new flag, Salva Kiir becomes first president July 13 – United Kingdom lawmakers summon Rupert Murdoch, his son, and News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks to testify over phone hacking scandal July 13 – Eurozone summit reaches deal regarding Greek debt crisis, bailout package secured July 16 – The United States officially recognizes the Transitional National Council, as the legitimate government in Libya July 18 – London Police chief resigns amid News of the World phone hacking scandal July 20 – UK Parliament questions Prime Minister Cameron over News of the World phone hacking scandal, and his former communications director Andy Coulson July 21 – Space Shuttle Atlantis makes final landing, marks end of 30 years of shuttle flights July 22 – The 2011 Norway attacks were two sequential domestic terrorist attacks by Anders Behring Breivik against the government, the civilian population, and a Workers' Youth League (AUF) summer camp, in which 77 people were killed. July 29 – Republicans block proposed budget plan, causing roadblock in debt-ceiling crisis